The Top Dog Friendly Beaches in the Florida Keys

A trip to the Florida Keys with your pet is a journey to the last frontier of the United States. The keys are an island archipelago consisting of hundreds of islands floating on the border of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. For travelers, it is known as one of the most pet-friendly places in Florida.

Stand at the southernmost point in the US when you visit Key West or take a pet-friendly cruise for one of the most beautiful sunsets over the ocean. The coral reef off the coast creates the ideal water conditions for swimming or doggy paddling.

With beaches lining each of the islands in the Florida Keys, see which of these allows for a fun day at the beach with your pet.

And remember, whenever your dog is participating in a water activity, be sure to keep them safe with a dog life jacket or other flotation device.

Amidst all the busy tourist beaches lining the shores of the Florida Keys, pet owners can find a tranquil shore at Coco Plum Dog Beach. The beach showcases the natural charm of the keys when you get away from the resort areas.

The pristine shoreline at coco Plum Beach has only been touched by pet paws and their owners. So, you won’t find beach umbrellas and chairs crowding the beach. Instead, you’ll get a stretch of speckly sand perfect for dog walks, relaxing, or swimming.

Step across colorful seashells as you reach the Atlantic Ocean. The shallow water is always a great time for splashing around or playing a game of water fetch, so don’t forget to bring their favorite ball! The soft sand will feel like a giant pillow to your pet after getting tired from swimming. And something about the Florida sun always makes them lay down for a doggy nap.

Your pet won’t be the only animal species on the beach. It’s a habitat for Loggerhead Turtles to lay their eggs from April to October. The beach’s leash policy helps keep the turtles safe from pets digging up the turtle eggs in the sand.

Address: 134 Coco Plum Dr. Marathon, FL 33051

In case you forgot your hat and don’t have a dog cap, plenty of palm trees hang over Sombrero Beach for shade on one of the Key’s best dog beaches. Your pet is the perfect addition to an otherwise paradise of white sand, palm trees, and turquoise water.

Look for Mile Marker 50 on the Overseas Highway to reach Sombrero Beach. Nearby parking means you’re only steps from sinking your paws into the soft, warm sand, but be sure to get them on a leash before exploring.

Waves tamed by the offshore reef system roll into the gently sloping Sombrero Beach. Pet owners can enjoy beach activities like sunbathing while their pet chews its toys or let them doggy paddle in the warm Atlantic Ocean. But, be sure to keep your pet away from disturbing turtles nesting in the sand.

Sombrero Beach is a family-friendly setting, so bring your furriest members! However, it’s never crowded and is laid back for those seeking a quiet beach setting. In addition, it has onsite facilities for visitors like a restroom or a shower to rinse off the sand.

Address: 2301 Sombrero Beach Rd, Mile Marker 50. Marathon, FL 33050

With 9.6 million tourists every year, Key West is the premier travel destination for the Florida Keys. Sitting near the southern tip of the United States is the Key West Dog Beach, giving even more pet-friendly things to do in Key West.

From 7 AM to 11 PM, Key West Dog Beach is crawling with pets. Pet parents standby as their fur buddies run in packs along the coast of the crystal clear waters. The narrow beach is only 20 feet wide, but your pet will amaze you as they sniff around every inch of it, and the best remedy to the hot Florida sunshine is swimming in the ocean. The beach extends to a wooden fence to mark the designated area, and use caution when walking your dog through the beach’s rocky sections.

Key West is one of the most pet-friendly places in Florida, with accommodations, restaurants, and shops welcoming four-legged visitors. And since the island is small, you’ll always be within reach of Key West Dog Beach. So, the next time you’re wandering the streets of Downtown Key West, walk until Alberta Street ends, and you’ll arrive on the beach.

Address: 1500 Vernon Ave, Key West, FL, US, 33040

The natural beauty of Anne’s Beach always gets your pet’s tail wagging. Views of the massive Atlantic Ocean are bigger than any puddle they’ve jumped in, and bone-white sand is perfect for pawing through.

Named after environmentalist Anne Eaton, Anne’s Beach is an excellent example of preserving the environment’s natural state. Lush trees flourish along the coastline, providing shade over the warm sand and waters so clear your pet can see its paws beneath the surface.

Navigate your way to the beach along the 1,300-ft boardwalk lined with mangrove trees, where the wooden pathway becomes the sandy coast. Pets must remain on their leashes while you take a long walk on the beach. The level beach makes the water very shallow near the coast, so pets of all sizes can stand in them or swim.

Anne’s Beach puts effort into maintaining the beach. It provides bags to clean up after your pet. Your pet can easily get parched in the sun all day, so it can get a drink from the onsite water bowls. You’ll also find pavilion-covered picnic tables to grab snacks and dog treats for all who joined you on a fabulous day at the beach.

Address: Mile Marker 73.5 (Oceanside), Islamorada, FL 33036

Near the foot of the famous Seven Mile Bridge is a beach for pets who were quiet enough in the car for you to focus on the drive over. Veteran’s Memorial Park is a beach reborn after Hurricane Irma damage, but it is back and better than ever!

From sunrise to sunset, Veteran’s Memorial Park is the perfect place to spend a few hours of your day. Pets with thick fur will love the refreshing splashes from the Atlantic Ocean while playing in the shallow water. Pets with lots of energy to burn can get plenty of cardio running between the blonde sand and the grassy areas lining the beach.

You and your pet will work up an appetite during your beach fun. Choose one of the open chickee huts and put your favorite food on the beachfront grill while trying to keep your pet from sneaking into the dog treat bag sitting on the picnic table.

Veteran’s Memorial Park is free and open to the public and a popular stop en route to Key West since it’s accessible via Mile Marker 40 on Highway 1. Keep in mind that pets must stay on their leash when visiting Veteran’s Memorial Park.

Address: 39900 Overseas Highway Little Duck Key, FL 33043

Views of boats lining the former marina at Rowell’s Waterfront Park have now become sights of dogs running around the 8-are space. Barks of excitement will come from your dog as they get a chance to play on both land and water.

Once you reach Mile Marker 104.5 on the Overseas Highway in Key Largo, you arrive at one of the Florida Keys’ hidden gems. It offers different areas to run around, including grassy sections where you can watch them from the picnic tables or the small beach area near the water access point.

Make your own fun with water fetch in the Florida Bay or a barking salute to kayakers and canoers taking off from the adjacent boat launch. Watch the water surface on the bay for a chance to spot dolphins offshore.

Dogs are permitted on Rowell’s Waterfront Park all year round. It requires pets to stay on their leashes.

Address: 1100 Simonton Street Key West, FL 33040

Did you know that the Florida Keys consists of more than 800 islands? In addition to the main key islands like Key West, Key Largo, etc., smaller, more remote islands are waiting to be explored. And with immaculate coastlines surrounding many of the islands, there are beaches that you and your pet might be among the first to discover.

While the Overseas Highway links the main Florida Keys for driving between them, the remote islands are less accessible. Most islands can only be reached via tours or private boat charters. However, with the pet-friendliness of the Florida Keys, several tour companies and boat charters will gladly give you and your pet a lift to one of the remote island beaches.

Give your pet the private island experience when you treat them to a getaway to a beach you can call your own. Your pet’s paws are ready to paw unexplored terrains, and you’re only a boat ride away. You’ll find untouched conditions of smooth white sand and stunning blue waters. And with no one else around, they can enjoy the beach without a leash!